Apparatus and methods of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes storing a set of European alphabet letters in a memory, inputting an alphabet letter to be converted in a European alphabet letter, determining a mode conversion key has been activated, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory, and selecting a desired one of the displayed European alphabet letters.

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/147,350, filed on Jun. 8, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,453,462, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/036,377, filed on Jan. 7, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,647, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2390/2001, filed in Korea on Jan. 16, 2001. The entire disclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal.

2. Background of the Related Art

Generally, as the functions of mobile communication terminals (hereinafter abbreviated “terminal” or “terminals”) develop, character input functions are more frequently used. Such functions used to be just for inputting, for example, names into a phone directory. Lately, terminals have functioned as a personal digital assistant (PDA), as a time scheduler, for Internet communication, and the like, as well as a phone directory, thereby requiring more character input. Therefore, in order to provide users with various character input functions, character inputs for various languages are required. Specially, when alphabet letters are edited in an editing mode, inputs for special characters, such as alphabet letters from the European alphabet, for example, “ë, Ë or e”, are required as well as the basic English language 26 letter alphabet.

A related art method of selecting special characters includes the steps of selecting a predetermined alphabet letter and selecting an European alphabet letter by a toggle method using a predetermined key during a special character input mode.

For instance, to input an European alphabet letter “À”, as shown in Table 1 below, a user, first pushes a key “2 (A,B,C)” on a key pad to input the alphabet letter “A”, and then pushes a predetermined key, in this case “O”, to select a special character input mode. Once the user selects the special character input mode, a plurality of European alphabet letters, which are stored as related to or associated with the alphabet letter “A”, are displayed on an LCD screen, as shown in Table 2 below. In this case, “_” indicates the location of the cursor, that is, the location where the special character is required, and two or three European alphabet letters are displayed on the screen therebelow.

TABLE 1 Store phone number 0123-456-7890 Please input name! MOOA_(—)

TABLE 2 Store phone number 0123-456-7890 Please input name! MOOA_(—) ÀÁ Â

When a plurality of the European alphabet letters are displayed, the user pushes the key “0”, known as the “toggle key”, repeatedly to search the displayed European alphabet letters. That is, when the key “0” is pushed repeatedly, the plurality of the European alphabet letters show up in the following order: ÀÁ Â. The user then selects the desired “À” among the toggled European alphabet letters.

However, this related art method of searching for special characters requires a minimum of two key inputs (2,0) and a maximum of seven key inputs (2,0,0,0,0,0,0) to select the desired European alphabet letter. That is, the user has to push the keys “2” and “0” to select “À”. Further, the user has to push the keys “2” and “0”, and then push the key “0” successively five times to select “Å”.

Moreover, the related art method of searching for special characters requires the user to push the key “0” an additional five times if the user mistakenly passes the search location of the desired European alphabet letter. Furthermore, when a particular European alphabet letter is not available, the user will only recognize this through a plurality of trial and error inputs. Consequently, the related art method of searching for special characters is inconvenient and requires a plurality of key manipulations, thereby preventing fast character input.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.

The invention is directed to a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal that substantially obviates one or more of problems of the related art method discussed above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal having convenient key manipulation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal which is less time consuming than related art methods with less key manipulations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal utilizing software, without having to provide the terminal with additional hardware.

To achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal according to the invention includes inputting an alphabet letter in an editing mode, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter, wherein a series of numbers are associated with the European alphabet letters, respectively, and selecting one of the European alphabet letters using a numeral key on a key pad.

To further achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal includes inputting an alphabet letter, sensing activation of a mode conversion key, displaying input-available European alphabet letters on an additional screen if activation of the mode conversion key is sensed, and selecting one of the displayed European alphabet letters.

To even further achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal includes storing a set of European alphabet letters in a memory, inputting an alphabet letter to be changed, sensing activation of a mode conversion key, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when activation of the mode conversion key is sensed, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory, and selecting a desired one of the displayed European alphabet letters.

Additionally, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include means for inputting an alphabet letter, means for displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter, wherein a series of numbers are associated respectively with each of the European alphabet letters, and means for selecting one of the European alphabet letters.

Moreover, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include means for inputting an alphabet letter, means for determining whether a mode conversion key has been activated, means for displaying European alphabet letters on an additional screen if it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, means for selecting one of the displayed European alphabet letters.

To even further achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include means for storing a set of European alphabet letters, means for inputting an alphabet letter to be converted to a European alphabet letter, means for determining whether a mode conversion key has been activated means for displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory; and means for selecting a desired one of the displayed European alphabet letters.

Further, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a computer-readable medium is provided having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of determining whether an alphabet letter has been input in an editing mode, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter, wherein a series of numbers are associated respectively with each of the European alphabet letters; and determining whether one of the European alphabet letters has been selected using a numeral key on the keypad.

Furthermore, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein a computer-readable medium is provided having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of determining whether an alphabet letter has been inputted, determining whether a mode conversion key has been activated, displaying European alphabet letters on an additional screen if it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, and determining whether one of the displayed European alphabet letters has been selected.

Additionally, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein a computer-readable medium is provided having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of storing a set of European alphabet letters in a memory, determining whether an alphabet letter to be converted to a European alphabet letter has been inputted, determining whether a mode conversion key has been activated, displaying a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when it is determined that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory; and determining whether a desired one of the displayed European alphabet letters has been selected.

Also, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include a key input unit configured to allow input of an alphabet letter by a user, a display configured to display a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter, wherein a series of numbers are associated respectively with each of the European alphabet letters and a user may select a desired European alphabet letter by pressing a key on the key input unit designating the number respectively associated with the desired European alphabet letter.

Further, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include a key input unit configured to allow input of an alphabet letter by a user, a controller that determines whether a mode conversion key has been activated, a display configured to display European alphabet letters on an additional screen if the controller determines that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein a series of numbers are associated respectively with each of the European alphabet letters and a user may select a desired European alphabet letter by pressing a key on the key input unit designating the number respectively associated with the desired European alphabet letter.

Furthermore, to achieve at least the above objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, apparatus for selecting special characters in a mobile communication terminal include a memory configured to store a set of European alphabet letters, a key input unit configured to allow input of an alphabet letter to be converted to a European alphabet letter a controller configured to determine whether a mode conversion key has been activated, a display configured to display a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding to the inputted alphabet letter on a pop-up window when the controller determine that the mode conversion key has been activated, wherein the European alphabet letters are read from the memory and wherein a series of numbers are associated respectively with each of the European alphabet letters and a user may select a desired European alphabet letter by pressing a key on the key input unit designating the number respectively associated with the desired European alphabet letter.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. The drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an European alphabet letter according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary set of European alphabet letters and corresponding English alphabet letters;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a display showing an editing mode of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of a display showing a plurality of European alphabets displayed on a pop-up window display according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram of a display showing an input alphabet letter replaced by a specific European alphabet letter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a controller 100 performs an overall control operation for the terminal and a control operation to edit a European alphabet letter. A key input unit 110 functions as an input device for user data and includes a plurality of numeral keys and various function keys. A display unit 120, which in this embodiment is a liquid crystal display (LCD), indicates a state of the terminal, and illustrates steps of the program.

A memory 130 includes a ROM that stores an operation program, and an EEPROM and RAM that store user data. The memory 130 also has a character string storage area. A signal processor 140 modulates a voice signal input from a microphone into voice data, and outputs the voice data to a RF unit 150. The signal processor 140 also demodulates voice data input from the RF unit 150 into a voice signal and outputs the voice signal to a speaker. In a CDMA (code division multiple access) mobile communication system, the signal processor 140 samples a voice signal input through a microphone, converts the voice signal into a PCM (pulse code modulated) signal, and voice-encodes the PCM signal again. The voice-encoded signal undergoes processing, such as quadrature modulation.

The RF unit 150 transmits/receives various data through an antenna in accordance with instructions from the controller 100. In CDMA, the quadrature-modulated signal is modulated into an analog signal and then the analog signal, which is carried on an RE signal, is transmitted to a base station.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operational flowchart for selecting a European alphabet letter according to the invention in a mobile communication terminal such as that shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, specific alphabet letters, for example, A, C, E, I, N, O, U, Y, a, c, e, i, n, o, u, and y, divided into Capital and small letters are stored as a character set of European alphabet letters in the memory 130, as shown in FIG. 3. However, the invention is not limited to the European alphabet but may utilize other character sets relevant to other respective countries and having different valid ASCII, such as other European countries, South American countries, etc.

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart illustrating a method of selecting specific characters, in this case a European alphabet letter, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in step S10, the controller 100 checks whether an editing mode has been selected via the key input unit 110. The editing mode is a mode in which edited letters, such as for phone number storage, schedule storage, memo storage, Internet access, etc., are input into the mobile communication terminal. A selected editing mode, such as that shown in FIG. 4A, is displayed on the display unit 120. During the editing mode, a mode conversion key and a save key are displayed at lower left and right hand areas on the display, respectively.

A user inputs an alphabet letter in step S11. For example, when a user inputs the alphabet letter “N” in the editing mode, the controller 100 next checks at step S12 whether a mode conversion key has been activated, or pressed. If the user fails to activate the mode conversion key, the controller 100 proceeds to step S17 to check whether an end key has been activated, or pressed. If, in step S17 it is determined that the end key has not activated, the process goes back to step S11 and awaits input of a next alphabet letter.

Thereafter, the user inputs the alphabet letter “a” in order to input the European alphabet letter “á”. If the mode conversion key is selected again while the cursor is on the alphabet letter “a”, the controller 100 checks, in step S13, whether the alphabet letter “a” is changeable into a European alphabet letter. The changeable European alphabet letters according to this exemplary embodiment are shown in FIG. 3.

As a result of the checking step, if the inputted alphabet letter is changeable into a European alphabet letter, the controller 100 reads a plurality of European alphabet letters corresponding or relating to the alphabet letter “a” from the character set storage area of the memory 130. The controller 100 displays the read European alphabet letter on a specific area of the display unit 120. That is, plurality of the European alphabet letters are displayed on an extra area of the display unit 120, or a pop-up window, as shown in FIG. 4B. In this case, a series of numbers are associated with the respective European alphabet letters on the display, as shown in FIG. 4B, so that the European alphabet letters may be selected using numeral keys 0 to 9 of the keypad. When the pop-up window appears, the mode conversion key and the cancel key show up on the display at lower left and right-hand areas of the display.

Thus, the user can input the European alphabet letter “á” by pressing the key “2” after having ascertained that the desired European alphabet letter “á” exists among the European characters displayed on the pop-up window. On the other hand, if the desired European alphabet letter is not in the group of European alphabet letters displayed, the user may select another input mode by selecting the mode conversion key at the lower left area of the display. If the user selects the cancel key at the lower right area of the display, the program returns to the editing mode, as shown in FIG. 4A.

In step S15, the controller 100 checks whether the user has input, or pressed a selected key (character key on the key pad) associated with a specific European alphabet letter. For example, if the user presses the key “2”, the alphabet letter “a” is replaced by the corresponding European alphabet letter “á”, as shown in FIG. 4C.

Thereafter, the above steps are repeated so that the user may input other alphabet and European alphabet letters. When the user presses the save key after completion of the input steps, the controller 100 stores the corresponding user data in the memory 130.

The invention enables a user to input European alphabet letters with a couple of key manipulations, i.e., by activations of a mode switch key and a character key on the key pad, and by displaying available European alphabet letters, to which a series of numbers are associated respectively, on an auxiliary screen, or pop-up window.

Accordingly, the invention enables a user to select a European alphabet letter conveniently with a reduced number of key manipulations in comparison to related art methods.

Moreover, the invention enables a user to input a European alphabet letter without additional hardware by adding a European alphabet letter mode to a terminal having an English mode, a Numeral mode, and an ASCII mode.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. 

1. A method of selecting special characters in a hand-held mobile communication terminal, comprising: receiving a letter; displaying one or more existing special characters corresponding to the received letter on an additional screen partially overlaying a screen if a mode conversion function has been operated; and allowing a user to select one of the one or more displayed special characters from the additional screen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the letter is an English alphabet letter.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more special characters include an European alphabet letter.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the received letter is also displayed on the additional screen together with the one or more special characters.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selects the one of the one or more displayed special characters by manipulating a user interface on the hand-held mobile communication terminal.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one of the one or more displayed special characters is selected by using numeral keys on a keypad.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein if there are no existing special characters corresponding to the received letter, no special characters are displayed.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more uppercase special characters are displayed when an uppercase letter is received and/or one or more lowercase special characters are displayed when a lowercase letter is received.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the selected one of the one or more displayed special characters on the screen.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein after the one or more special characters are displayed on the additional screen, if the user selects a cancel key or the mode conversion function is canceled, the additional screen disappears.
 11. A method of selecting special characters in a hand-held mobile communication terminal, comprising: receiving a letter; determining whether a mode conversion function has been operated; displaying at least one of special characters corresponding to the received letter on an additional screen partially overlaying a screen if it is determined that the mode conversion function has been operated; and allowing a user to select one of the displayed special characters, wherein the letter is an English alphabet letter and the at least one of special characters includes an European alphabet letter, wherein the received letter is also displayed on the additional screen together with the at least one of special characters, and wherein at least one of uppercase special characters is displayed when an uppercase letter is received and at least one of lowercase special characters is displayed when a lowercase letter is received.
 12. Apparatus for selecting special characters in a hand-held mobile communication terminal, comprising: a memory configured to store one or more special characters; a key input device configured to receive a letter; a controller configured to detect a mode conversion function; and a display configured to display one or more special characters stored in the memory corresponding to the letter received by the key input device if the mode conversion function is detected by the controller, wherein the one or more special characters are displayed on a sub-screen partially overlaying a main screen such that the user can select one of the one or more special characters.
 13. A method of selecting special characters in a hand-held mobile communication terminal, comprising: receiving a letter selected by a user; displaying at least one of existing special characters corresponding to the selected letter by the user on a first window if a mode conversion function is operated; allowing a user to select one of the at least one of displayed special characters; and displaying the selected special character on a second window.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first screen is partially overlaying the second screen.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the mode conversion function is operated by receiving a user input generated by manipulating a user interface.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the letter is an English alphabet letter.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one of special characters includes an European alphabet letter.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the user selected letter is also displayed on the first window together with the at least one of special characters.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the user selects the at least one of displayed special characters by manipulating the user interface on the hand-held mobile communication terminal.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein if there are no existing special characters corresponding to the user selected letter, no special characters are displayed.
 21. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of uppercase special characters is displayed when an uppercase letter is received by the user selection.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected one of the at least one of displayed special characters is input to the hand-held mobile communication terminal by the user and the input special character is displayed in uppercase format if the uppercase letter is received by the user selection.
 23. The method of claim 13, wherein after the at least one of special characters is displayed on the first window, if the user selects a cancel key or the mode conversion function is canceled, the first window disappears.
 24. The method of claim 13, wherein an uppercase special character is displayed on the second window when an uppercase letter is selected by the user in the receiving. 